Do you use rainwater to flush your toilets, water your garden, wash your car, or even power your washing machine? Then clean the external filter a few times a year. This system filters leaves and dirt from the water before it flows into the cistern. Empty and rinse the filter regularly. The water is also filtered inside, just before the rainwater is distributed to the appliances via the collector. This filter set consists of two parts: a holder containing several cartridges that serve as a sieve. The pre- and fine filters trap undissolved dirt particles, while the activated carbon filter captures undissolved substances, eliminates odours, and removes pesticides and chlorinated solvents from the water. Rainwater can only be properly purified when all filters are clean. You can rinse the sieve and fine filters yourself under the tap. This isn't possible with the activated carbon filter; it needs to be replaced after a certain period of use.

Solar panels, just like your windows, need to be cleaned. This keeps them generating energy efficiently. Use water and a soft nylon brush to avoid scratching. Soap is unnecessary. You can use reverse osmosis water, if desired. During periods of heavy rain, cleaning your solar panels is less urgent. During spring, when nature blooms again and the birds return, you'll need to clean more frequently.

Clean your radiators or convectors a few times a year with a feather duster. If dust accumulates, their performance will be compromised. Also bleed your radiators: use a flathead screwdriver to open the valve at the top of the radiator until water flows out. Also check the water pressure in your heating system. Most systems have a pressure gauge under the boiler. This gauge should be in the green zone, between 1 and 2 bar. If the pressure is too low, top up the boiler by opening the two wing valves that connect your water pipe to the closed heating system until the gauge returns to the green zone. Have your boiler and other combustion appliances inspected and adjusted annually to ensure they operate as efficiently as possible.

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A well-ventilated home ensures a healthy indoor environment. That's why you should ventilate your home well year-round. Check the vents regularly and clean them. If you have a ventilation system, don't forget to check the filter and clean or replace it if necessary.

"In keeping with the motto 'measuring is knowing,' it's best to check the actual energy consumption of your household appliances more often. Check the consumption of your television and mobile phone chargers, for example, to identify standby power consumption more quickly. You can easily do this by placing an energy meter between the appliance and the socket. The meter tells you exactly how much you're using per day, week, or month, even when the appliance is on standby."

Set aside some time each month for a thorough cleaning of your appliances. During this cleaning round, you can empty the collection tank of your vacuum cleaner, descale and clean the coffee maker and kettle, and also tackle the refrigerator. For example, scrape away the ice buildup in your refrigerator and clean the shelves and drawers. Also make sure the door seals are clean and seal properly. This will make your refrigerator run more efficiently and consume less energy. It's also best to clean the ventilation grilles of built-in appliances, both at the top and bottom, to ensure they function optimally.

Periodically test your residual current devices (RCDs) in your electrical panel. These switches have a test button. When you press it, all the fuses behind the switch should be de-energized. By testing this, you know your system will trip if power is lost due to damage to your cables or faulty appliances.

Hard water can cause limescale buildup in your pipes and faucets. Therefore, clean your faucets regularly. Carefully unscrew the spouts at the end of the faucet by hand or with a wrench. Clean the strainer with hot water and possibly a little vinegar; you don't need expensive chemical descalers. Also, regularly open your angle valves -- the shutoff valves under your sink or on the toilet -- so they don't block if you actually need to turn off the water.